Sentencing of former Plymouth cop rescheduled to June 5

Wednesday

May 14, 2014 at 11:22 PMMay 14, 2014 at 11:28 PM

Shawn Coughlin, the former Plymouth police sergeant who was convicted on brutality charges in federal court, won’t be sentenced until June 5. The sentencing had been scheduled for this coming Tuesday, May 20. It was rescheduled because one of Coughlin’s lawyers has a scheduling conflict next week.

By Rich Harbert Wicked Local Plymouth

PLYMOUTH – Sentencing has been delayed for the former Plymouth police sergeant who was convicted on brutality charges in federal court.

Shawn Coughlin was scheduled to be sentenced this coming Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Boston for using excessive force on a prisoner and then lying to cover it up.

Coughlin is now scheduled for sentencing at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 5, before Judge Nathaniel Gorton.

A federal jury convicted Coughlin in February after a five-day trial that featured a video recording of Coughiln attacking a handcuffed drunken-driving suspect after an arrest in November 2011.

Coughin, 47, faces up to 20 years in federal prison for falsifying police reports and up to 10 years for using excessive force.

Coughlin’s lawyers are expected to argue for leniency.

Letters submitted to the judge from friends and relatives argue that the veteran officer has already been punished enough by the loss of his job, pension and reputation.

Since the trial, Gorton has already rejected a defense motion for acquittal.

Coughlin’s lawyers unsuccessfully sought to overturn the convictions, asserting that there was no evidence that the victim in the case, a 26-year-old West Plymouth man, suffered any injuries.

The sentencing was rescheduled because one of Coughlin’s lawyers has a scheduling conflict next week.